MY PERSPECTIVE OF DGUSA’s DEBUT
- 09/10/2009 (5:48:31 pm)
- Gabe Sapolsky
…..
Thursday, September 10, 2009
 | Chicago has been one of my favorite cities since I first visited it with ECW in 1999. When I woke up last Saturday I couldn't wait to get back. My bags were packed by Saturday morning, but I kept feeling like I forgot something. There is so much more I have to bring to the show now and what seems like an endless list of things I have to remember to do. Mike from Jinxed arrived early and we get to the airport with time to spare. I have to admit I'm out of sorts since I'm no longer used to traveling. I had a series of systems that would make flying and packing automatic at my old job. Now they are forgotten and I'm out of practice. Our afternoon flight is on time. As the plane ascends into the nice afternoon sky I keep quizzing myself with a mental checklist on all that needs to be done. When we land at O'Hare I feel good about everything. I'm pleasantly surprised to see Shingo waving to me from across the street. Everyone is in town. I exhale the first sigh of relief. The ride for Mike and I arrives promptly and would prove to be a good friend during the weekend, even supplying some inadvertent entertainment later in the night, but that is another story for another time. I eat my first sandwich at Buono for dinner, enjoy it, but it's no cheesesteak, and we head to the AAW: Pro Wrestling Redefined show. I walk into the Berwyn Tavern and catch up with some old friends, some of whom I hadn't seen since last October. The building is as intimate as advertised, with every seat almost on top of the ring. The dollar beers add charm to the place, but I can only stomach one as I have lost the desire to drink. AAW is a darn good night of professional wrestling. I mean it. The show runs seamlessly with video promos and the matches, which feature a variety of styles and just good, solid wrestling. This is as professional and smoothly run an independent show as I've seen, reminding me somewhat of Jim Kettner's shows earlier this decade. Those of you on the east coast know that is high praise. If you are in the Chicago area and like independent wrestling you will enjoy AAW live. Jimmy Jacobs proves why he is now a veteran on the indy circuit and can have a great match with any type of wrestler and execute any role. The six man doesn't disappoint. Then the match I anticipated the most enters the ring. It was time to see Bryan Danielson wrestle one more time a small venue. Bryan and Silas Young tear down the house. The crowd, which has been hot all night, goes molten. Silas shows why he is so underrated by going move-for-move with Bryan. It's a good time. It's an early bedtime because Sunday starts at 8:30am with the late afternoon Dragon Gate USA show and lots to set up. My body sleeps, but my mind is active and real rest is just a dream. It seems like only moments later that I walk into The Congress Theater and feel like I just entered a majestic cathedral. This is the kind of building I love. Old, character in every nook and that unmistakable vibe. We run around like children exploring the catwalk, basement and examining all the intricacies. The highlight is the red dome, glowing with pride like a peacock showing off its feathers, in the center of the ancient ceiling. "This is where the mob took the owner and cut his throat in the 30s," we're told as we enter the basement. Now time for work. It's all a blur. So much to do. I walk into the lobby after the doors open and see two almost endless lines. "Why are these people just standing here?" In the past I would have waited and let others handle the situation. I start yelling directions to the masses. This has to be a fun, comfortable and hassle-free night for them. It's my main priority. I'm running around during FRAY!, but manage to see most of it. I'm having fun. There's a lot of cool stuff in this. I am falling in love with this new generation of talent. The lights dim and the "Besides You In Time" video begins. The crowd rises to their feet. I have to admit that I booked Dragon Kid vs. Masato Yoshino because I love their matches. I go upstairs and watch it. Amazing. They turn it up a notch from Philly. Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. Gran Akuma & YAMATO follows as characters become defined. Quack comes back clutching his back. Jigsaw is being helped and can't walk. I think Jigsaw is feeling more emotional pain and anger from not being able to do everything he wanted to do than physical agony from the intense burn in his blown out knee. Jimmy Jacobs adds some unpredictability to the night. The Young Bucks cut another quality promo. The main event is set up when Ryo Saito & Genki Horiguchi attack the hottest tag team on the planet. Man, what charisma Horiguchi & Saito have. It's Bryan Danielson time. I shake his hand and thank him for eight incredible years right before he steps through the curtain. I take a seat next to an old friend in the balcony and watch this. The era has ended. I have to admit I feel sad, but soon I get lost in the outstanding match as Naruki Doi shows why he's emerged as Dragon Gate's ace this year. We have to go into intermission. Nothing can follow Bryan vs. Doi. I hustle Bryan, still drenched in sweat, over to the merch table so he can do autographs. There is no one around to handle the money so I stand there, just like I did for Cactus Jack back in 1995 in Kennet Square, and take the cash. It's fun to do this again. I talk to some fans, some of whom traveled from New York for this show. I'm honored. I'm still wrapping up things from intermission and unfortunately miss most of CIMA vs. Brian Kendrick. From what I saw it looked like a good match. Now we go into Davey Richards vs. Shingo. I stand behind the stage seats and watch over the heads from underneath the hard cam. This is something special. Putting Davey on after Bryan is a message to Davey, just like putting the three way on after Guerrero vs. Super Crazy was a message to that trio. Davey responds. Shingo is among the most talented in all of wrestling. Have I mentioned yet that this is something special? I couldn't wait to see what happens next as Davey calls out Bryan. "Screw it," I say to myself. I sneak out into the entrance tunnel to witness this unfold. I've been through a lot of crap in the last 10 months and I want the best seat in the house. I try to watch every face in the building as Davey kicks Bryan with no warning. However, I get so wrapped up in the moment that I spontaneously react myself and lose track of all those faces. I hear it though. It's a beautiful sound. The Young Bucks earned the main event spot after their performance on the first show. Saito & Horiguchi are awesome. There is just too much talent to bring in from Japan. The match delivers. Another home run. My night isn't done. There is still some work to do, but I won't bore you with the details because the exciting stuff is over. I think of the staff. They were all incredible and gave the paying customer first class treatment. I'm in debt to all of you that made things happen. Thank you. We all cram into a minivan like clowns and go back to the hotel. I haven't eaten since the hotel breakfest at 9am. I'm coming down from the show and the entire day. Someone puts a coke and sandwich in front of me. The meal is unusually delicious. Now we all just feel good. Time to go home. As I drift off into sleep as the plane takes off I think "I can't wait to comeback." |
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